Bachoco’s Waste Dumping Ravages Yucatán’s Kinchil Region

Kinchil, Yucatán — The poultry company Bachoco has been accused of devastating ecosystems in Yucatán by clearing forests to dump hundreds of tons of chicken and poultry waste from its mega-farms. The practice, which mirrors similar actions by competitor Crío, has drawn sharp criticism from local Mayan communities and environmental advocates who report severe contamination of water, air, and farmland.

Deforestation and Waste Dumping

Investigations reveal that Bachoco has cleared at least four hectares of forest in Kinchil to create open-air waste sites. The company transports excrement in dump trucks, leaving trails of leaking waste along roads. Residents report that the stench is unbearable, and the influx of flies has disrupted local agriculture and beekeeping—a vital economic activity for Mayan communities.

“We confirmed that Bachoco has been paying a local landholder to use this land as a dumping ground,” said a beekeeper from Kinchil. “Authorities have done nothing despite multiple complaints. Profepa [Mexico’s environmental protection agency] only shut down one site, but the company keeps operating others.”

Government Inaction and Legal Violations

Despite repeated denunciations, regulatory agencies have taken minimal action. In June 2024, Profepa ordered the permanent closure of a Crío mega-farm near Kinchil, yet construction continued, with six additional poultry sheds erected. Bachoco, meanwhile, has expanded its dumping operations, including a newly discovered site in February 2025.

Legal advisors from the Maya Beekeepers’ Alliance Kaabnalo’on argue that Bachoco’s activities violate environmental laws, particularly since the dumping occurs near the Ring of Cenotes, a protected wetland under the Ramsar Convention. “The waste seeps directly into the aquifer due to the region’s porous karst soil,” they explained.

Economic Clout and Political Ties

Bachoco, controlled by the Robinson Bours family, dominates 60% of Mexico’s poultry market alongside Crío. In Yucatán alone, the company operates over 90 farms across 28 municipalities. Its financial influence—reporting a net profit of 2.29 billion pesos ($115 million USD) in 2024—has raised concerns about regulatory leniency.

The company’s expansion in Yucatán began in the early 2000s after acquiring Kekén’s poultry division, part of the KUO Group, which has faced similar environmental accusations in pork production.

Community Impact

Residents near dumping sites describe contaminated water sources and dying livestock. “The water reeks of poultry waste,” said a Kaabnalo’on member. “Deforestation has also destroyed key trees like dzizilché and jabín, which are crucial for honey production.”

Despite mounting evidence, authorities have issued only temporary closures, allowing the companies to resume operations. Legal experts warn that this constitutes a federal crime—violating environmental safety measures—yet no significant penalties have been enforced.

Previous Controversies

Bachoco has faced prior allegations, including illegal waste disposal near San Antonio Sihó in 2024. Profepa closed the sites but imposed no fines, leaving locals frustrated. “The government lets Bachoco do whatever it wants,” one farmer said.

As the ecological crisis deepens, affected communities continue demanding accountability, while the poultry giants expand unchecked.